Bird spike with plastic base

ABSTRACT

A deterrent device can include an elongated base having upper and lower raised portions and a plurality of spikes coupled thereto. The spikes can each be configured to extend from the base such that such that the spikes alternate on each side of the base between a lower-angled spike and an upper-angled spike. The base can further include first and second wings that each has a width that is at least twice a width of the base.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.13/460593 filed on Apr. 30, 2012, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/595,440 filed on Feb. 6, 2012. These andall other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in anincorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition ofthat term provided herein, the definition of that term provided hereinapplies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is animal deterrents, and especially as theyrelate to bird deterrents.

BACKGROUND

The presence of birds on window sills, roof tops, boat masts, and othersurfaces is often undesirable. Among other things, birds tend to benoisy and make an unsightly mess that can attract insects and provide afertile bed for bacteria which can present a significant health hazard.Additionally, the unaesthetic appearance of bird droppings and the likeoften requires unpleasant and time consuming clean up where access tothe droppings is available. Often, the repulsive appearance of birddroppings and other by-products of birds are not even accessible forclean up.

It is known to mount a plurality of pointed objects, such as spikes andthe like, on surfaces where it is desired to repel birds. See, e.g, U.S.Pat. Appl. 2004/0216393 to Hall, et al. (publ. November 2004), and UKPatent No. 2432412B to Jones. However, traditional bird repellentdevices comprise a metal base with a plurality of angularly and upwardlyprojecting metal wires or spikes. Unfortunately, such metalcontraptions, while accomplishing the desired result, tend to be costlyto manufacture because they are not conducive to non-labor intensivemanufacturing processes such as injection molding for example.

Although various plastic bird repellant devices are known such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,465 to Donoho, U.S. Pat. Appl. No.2003/0208967 to Riddell, U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,676 to Wiesener et al. andWIPO Publ. No. 2005/029955 to Knight (publ. April 2005), such devicesuffer from one or more disadvantages including, for example, a highercost of shipment due to their inability to stack and weight of theplastic.

Thus, there is still a need for a bird repellent device which is easyand less costly to manufacture and ship, and which is relativelyinexpensive to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods fordeterrent devices for birds and other animals. Preferred devices includean elongated base having a base width and at least one glue space. Thebase can advantageously include first and second support arms or wingscoupled to the base and configured to maintain an upright position ofthe device while reducing the required base width. It is especiallypreferred that the support arms each has a width that is at least twicethe base width, and more preferably, at least three times the basewidth.

First and second spikes each of which has first and second portions canbe coupled to the base. Preferably, the spikes are configured to extendfrom the base such that the upper portions alternate on each side of thebase between a lower-angled spike and an upper-angled spike. In thismanner, the alternating spikes maximize the span of the spikes acrossthe base such that the number of spikes on the base can be reduced. Asused herein, the term “span” is defined as the maximum width of thedevice as measured from a distal end of the first spike's first portionand a distal end of the second spike's second portion.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth hereinshould be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, andopen-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commerciallypractical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered asinclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates thecontrary.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventivesubject matter will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanyingdrawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of a deterrentdevice.

FIGS. 2A-2B are perspective and side views of one embodiment of adeterrent device nested within another deterrent device.

FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of a deterrent device.

FIGS. 4A-4B are enlarged views of another embodiment of a deterrentdevice.

FIGS. 5A-5B are bottom perspective views of yet another embodiment of adeterrent device.

FIGS. 6A-6C are a bottom perspective view, a vertical cross-sectionview, and a top view, respectively, of another embodiment of a deterrentdevice.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a plurality of nested deterrentdevices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One should appreciate that the disclosed techniques provide manyadvantageous technical effects including reducing the use of plasticwhile enabling the deterrent device to maintain an upright position whensubject to forces from birds or other animals or wind or other elements.The reduced amount of plastic needed for the device advantageouslyreduces the total weight of the device, which reduces its shipment cost.In addition, the device is configured to permit stacking of multipledevices, which further reduces the cost of shipment.

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of theinventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a singlecombination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter isconsidered to include all possible combinations of the disclosedelements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and asecond embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subjectmatter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A,B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

In FIG. 1, an embodiment of a deterrent device 100 is shown having anelongated base 102 that has a base width “B” and at least one raisedportion 104 and preferably at least two raised portions 104 thattransversely extends across at least part of base 102. In somecontemplated embodiments, the raised portion(s) 104 can comprise gluespaces. In such embodiments, the transverse glue spaces or channelsadvantageously allow the base 102 to be narrower as compared withdeterrent devices of the prior art having longitudinally-extending gluechannels. Preferred raised portions 104 have a width that is equal tothe base width B, and a length that is at least 1.5 times, andpreferably 2 times, the base width B. Alternatively, however, the atleast one raised portion 104 can have a width that is less than the basewidth B.

The device 100 is preferably manufactured in 300 or 600 mm segments,although any commercially suitable length could be used. In an exemplaryembodiment, the base 102 could have a base width B of approximately 10mm and a length of approximately between 200-250 mm.

First and second wings 110 and 112 can be coupled to, and configured toextend laterally from, the base 102, which advantageously allows for areduced base width B while preventing the base 102 from rocking side toside and thereby maintaining the horizontal stability of the base 102.Preferably, each of the first and second wings 110 and 112 has a widththat is at least twice the base width B, and more preferably, at leastthree times the base width B. It is especially preferred that the wings110 and 112 each has a width that is at least five times the base width,which significantly reduces the amount of material required to form thebase 102 and thereby reduces the weight and shipping cost of the device100. With the addition of the wings 110 and 112, it has been found thatthe base width B can be reduced to 15 mm or less, and preferably 10 mmor less, which to Applicant's knowledge was not achievable with priorart devices.

Device 100 can further include first and second spikes 106 and 108coupled to the base 102. The spikes 106 and 108 are preferably composedof stainless steel, although any commercially suitable material(s) couldbe used including, for example, other metals or metal composites,plastics or other polycarbonates, and any combinations thereof. Inpreferred embodiments, the spikes 106 and 108 can be configured toextend from the base 102 such that the spikes 106 and 108 alternate oneach side of the base 102 between a lower-angled spike and anupper-angled spike. In addition, adjacent spikes 106 and 108 can becoupled to the base 102 such that a first upper portion 106A of spike106 extends from the base 102 at an angle that is equal to the angle atwhich a second upper portion 108B of spike 108 extends from the base102. In this manner, the span of the spikes 106 and 108 (e.g., themaximum horizontal distance between the spikes 106 and 108) can beincreased without increasing the total number of spikes.

In preferred embodiments, the span of the spikes 106 and 108 is at leastfive times the base width B, more preferably at least eight times, andmost preferably, at least ten times the base width B. By increasing thespan of the spikes 106 and 108, the device 100 can be utilized toprevent different sizes of birds or other pests from perching on asurface, while reducing the necessary base width B.

As the span of the spikes 106 and 108 is increased, the base width Bmust generally also be increased to maintain a horizontal stability ofthe device 100 under forces acting upon the device 100 such as birds orother pests, or wind or other elements. However, by providing wings 110and 112, the effective width of the base 102 can be increased threefold, four fold, or even five fold or more to accommodate a larger spanwithout or with only a minimal increase in base width B. For example,the spikes 106 and 108 could have a span of approximately 115 mm whilethe base 102 could have a base width B of approximately 10 mm, whichsignificantly reduces the amount of material required for the base 102while increasing the stability of the device 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first spike 106 can have first and second upperportions 106A-106B and a middle portion 106C coupling the upper portions106A-106B. Similarly, the second spikes 108 can also include first andsecond upper portions 108A-108B and a middle portion 108C coupling theupper portions 108A-108B.

The device 100 can further include first and second spike stabilizers120 and 122 that are each coupled to the base 102 and configured toprevent rotation and maintain an upright position of the first andsecond spikes 106 and 108, respectively. The spike stabilizers 120 and122 can include indented portions into which the first and second spikes106 and 108 can be respectively positioned. Preferably, the first andsecond spikes 106 and 108 are press or snap fitted into the indentedpotions of the spike stabilizers 120 and 122, respectively. The device'sunique locking mechanism requires only a small amount of plastic orother material while strongly securing the spikes. In addition, thespike stabilizers 120 and 122 advantageously allow for quick machineinsertion of the spikes 106 and 108. It is further contemplated that thespikes 106 and 108 could be secured to the base 102 by heat staking oneor more protruding studs and thereby cover at least a portion of middleportions 106C and 108C of spikes 106 an 10, respectively.

Preferably, each of the first and second spike stabilizers 120 and 122has a generally U shape comprising a middle, generally horizontalportion 120A and 122A, and two upwardly extending portions 120B-C and122B-C, respectively. It is especially preferred that the upwardlyextending portions 120B-C and 122B-C each has a length that is no morethan 20%, more preferably no more than 15%, and most preferably no morethan 10%, of a length of an upper portion of spike 106 or 108. Forexample, in some contemplated embodiments, first and second upperportions 106A-106B of the first spike 106 could each have a length ofapproximately 115 mm and the first spike stabilizer 120 could haveupwardly-extending portions 120B-C each having a length of approximately10 mm.

In some contemplated embodiments, the first spike 106 can be disposedbetween the first wing 110 and the first spike stabilizer 120, and thesecond spike 108 can be disposed between the second wing 112 and thesecond spike stabilizer 122.

In some contemplated embodiments, the base 102 can include one or moreholes 116 that extend from an upper surface of the base 102 to raisedportion 104. The holes advantageously allow for glue or other adhesiveto be quickly inserted in the raised portion 104 while the device 100 isadjacent to a mounting surface. Alternatively, the holes 116 could allowfor the insertion of a nail or other commercially suitable fastener(s)such that the device 100 can be secured to a mounting surface.

It is further contemplated that the base 102 can have glue spaces 118,which can be at least partially defined by raised portion 104. In thismanner, the overall depth of the base 102 can be maintained whileproviding for the glue spaces 118. In addition, the raised portions 104can advantageously increase the strength and flexibility of the base102, allowing the base 102 to be flexed into a U-shape without permanentdeformation of the base 102. In such embodiments, one or more of theraised portions 104 can at least partially include a hole 116. Theraised portions 104 can advantageously be further configured toaccommodate the spikes of another device when the other device is nestedwithin device and while the spikes of each device are oriented at least5° with respect to a surface normal of the respective base. In thismanner, the devices can be closely stacked, which reduces the shipmentcosts of the devices.

It is contemplated that a collective surface area of the raised portions104 can be at least half of the total surface area of the base 102,which advantageously increases the strength of the base 102 againsttorque and other forces without a need to increase the base width B.

The base 102 can further include a plurality of apertures 124, which canbe configured to receive a nail or other fastener to thereby attach thedevice 100 to a mounting surface.

Optionally, the base 102 can include one or more transverse break points114, which allow for quick resizing of the base 102 without the need foradditional tools. In some contemplated embodiments, at least one of theraised portions 104 can include a break point 114, which comprises arecessed area of at least one raised portion 104.

The base 102, wings 110 and 112, and spike stabilizers 120 and 122 canpreferably be extruded using recycled polycarbonate, whichadvantageously reduces the manufacturing cost and weight of the device100 while reducing its environmental impact. However, the variouscomponents could alternatively be injection-molded or formed via anycommercially suitable process. It is further contemplated that the base102 and other components could comprise non-recycled polycarbonate,metals or metal composites, or any other commercially suitablematerial(s) or combinations thereof.

Optionally, base 102 could include a V-shape vertical cross-section,which allows the device 100 to bend laterally.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate device 100 of FIG. 1 nested within a seconddeterrent device 200. The raised portions 104 can advantageously allowthe device 100 to accommodate the spikes 206 and 208 of the seconddevice 200 when the device 100 is nested within the second device 200and while the spikes 206 and 208 are oriented at least 5° with respectto a surface normal of base 202. In this manner, the vertical spacingbetween neighboring devices 100 and 200 can be substantially reduced topreferably less than 3 cm, more preferably less than 1 cm, and mostpreferably allows for little or no spacing between the devices 100 and200, which thereby increases the number of devices that can be stackedwithin a given height. This advantageously can reduce the amount ofpackaging and therefore the shipment cost of the devices. With respectto the remaining numerals in each of FIGS. 2A-2B, the sameconsiderations for like components with like numerals of FIG. 1 apply.

In FIG. 3, a top view of another embodiment of a deterrent device 300 isshown. With respect to the remaining numerals in FIG. 3, the sameconsiderations for like components with like numerals of FIG. 1 apply.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate enlarged perspective and top views of a firstspike stabilizer 420, respectively, which can include an indented orrecessed portion 430 into which a first spike can be inserted.Preferably, the first spike stabilizer 420 includes one or more teeth432 configured to have sufficient flexibility to allow the first spiketo be snap or press fit into the recessed portion 430. To provide theteeth 432 with sufficient flexibility, the first spike stabilizer 420can include one or more gaps 434 that partially separate the teeth 432from the first spike stabilizer 420. Using the teeth 432 as lockingmechanisms, the spikes can be quickly and easily coupled to the base 102by a machine or less preferably by hand. With respect to the remainingnumerals in each of FIGS. 4A-4B, the same considerations for likecomponents with like numerals of FIG. 1 apply.

In FIGS. 5A-5B, another embodiment of a deterrent device 500 is shownhaving a raised portion 504 disposed between adjacent first and secondspikes 506 and 508. In such embodiments, it is contemplated that theraised portion 504 could have a length that is at least 1.5 times thebase width B, and preferably, at least two times the base width B. In anexemplary embodiment, the base 102 could have a base width ofapproximately 10 mm, and the raised portion 504 could have a width ofapproximately 10 mm and a length of approximately 20 mm, whichadvantageously allows for nesting of device 500 within other deterrentdevices, while also providing for a large surface area for glue or otheradhesive to adhere the base 502 to a desired surface.

Spike stabilizers 520 and 522 can each have a recessed area 530 intowhich the first and second spikes 506 and 508 can be inserted,respectively. In this manner, the first spike 506 can be prevented fromrotating and thereby maintain an upright position because of the spikestabilizer 520 and wing 510 on opposite sides of the first spike 506 andthe mounting surface below. Similarly, the second spike 508 can beprevented from rotating because of the spike stabilizer 522 and wing 512on opposite sides of the second spike 508 and the mounting surfacebelow.

The spike stabilizers 520 and 522 can further include gaps 532, whichallow teeth 534 to have sufficient flexibility to allow the first andsecond spikes 506 and 508 to be snap or press-fitted into the recessedarea 530 of the first and second spike stabilizers 520 and 522,respectively. With respect to the remaining numerals in each of FIGS.5A-5B, the same considerations for like components with like numerals ofFIG. 1 apply.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate another embodiment of a deterrent device 600 forbirds or other pests having a base 602 to which a plurality of spikescan be coupled, the base having upper and lower surfaces 607 and 609,respectively, with an upper recessed area 605 extending from the uppersurface 607 and a lower recessed area 604 extending from the lowersurface 609. A first spike 606 can be positioned within an indented orrecessed portion between a first wing 610 and a first spike stabilizer620, which thereby maintains the spike 606 in a generally vertical,upright position with respect to base 102. Optionally, the first spike606 can be press fit or snap fit using tab 632 into a gap between thefirst wing 610 and a first spike stabilizer 620. However, it isespecially preferred that the first spike 606 is secured to the base 602by heat staking at least one protruding stud 640 to thereby deform thestud 640 and cover at least a portion of the first spike 606. This heatstaking process preferably occurs during manufacture of the device 600.In this manner, the deformed stud 640 prevents the spike from beingaccidentally dislodged from the base 602. Although shown coupled to thefirst spike stabilizer 620, it is contemplated that the at least onestud 640 could be coupled to the first wing 610, or other portion of thedevice 100 such that the stud 640 when deformed can cover at least aportion of a spike. With respect to the remaining numerals in each ofFIGS. 6A-6C, the same considerations for like components with likenumerals of FIG. 1 apply.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of a plurality of deterrentdevices 700, 710, and 720, which are nested within an adjacent deterrentdevice. The deterrent devices 700, 710, and 720 can each include aplurality of spikes 704, 714, and 724 that project upwardly andoutwardly from the bases 702, 712 and 722 of each of the deterrentdevices 700, 710, and 720, respectively. In this manner, the verticalspacing between neighboring devices 700 and 710 and 710 and 720 can besubstantially reduced to preferably less than 3 cm, more preferably lessthan 1 cm, and most preferably allows for little or no spacing betweenadjacent devices, which thereby increases the number of devices that canbe stacked within a given height while the spikes 704, 714, and 724 ofthe devices 700, 710 and 720, respectively, are oriented at least 5°with respect to a surface normal of bases 702, 712 and 722. Thisadvantageously can reduce the amount of packaging and therefore theshipment cost of the devices.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term“coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which twoelements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirectcoupling (in which at least one additional element is located betweenthe two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with”are used synonymously.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at leastone of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . andN, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from thegroup, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A deterrent device, comprising: an elongated basehaving upper and lower surfaces and a base width, the base furthercomprises an upper recessed area extending from the upper surface and alower recessed area extending from the lower surface, wherein each ofthe recessed areas has a width that is less than the base width; and aplurality of spikes coupled to, and extending outwardly from, theelongated base.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofspikes are disposed with respect to the elongated base such that thespikes alternate on each side of the elongated base between alower-angled spike and an upper-angled spike.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the upper and lower recessed areas alternate sequentiallybetween an upper recessed area and a lower recessed area along a lengthof the elongated base.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the upperrecessed area comprises an aperture that extends from the upper surfaceof the base to the recessed area.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein theplurality of spikes are composed of stainless steel.
 6. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of spikes are composed of plastic.
 7. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the elongated base and the plurality ofspikes are injection molded.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein theelongated base further comprises first and second wings, each of whichhas a width that is at least twice the base width.
 9. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the deterrent device is nestable within a secondelongated base of a second deterrent device, and wherein the seconddeterrent device has a second plurality of spikes oriented at least 5°with respect to a surface normal of the second elongated base, andwherein the elongated base is less than 3 cm from the second elongatedbase when the deterrent device is nested within the second deterrentdevice.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein a collective surface area ofthe upper and lower recessed areas is greater than 50% of a totalsurface area of the elongated base.
 11. The device of claim 1, whereinthe base width is no more than 10 mm.
 12. A deterrent device,comprising: an elongated base having upper and lower raised portionsthat alternate sequentially along a length of the base between an upperraised portion and a lower raised portion; a plurality of spikescomprising pairs of spikes disposed along a length of the base, thespikes each coupled to, and extending outwardly from, the elongatedbase; wherein at least one of the upper raised portions and at least oneof the lower raised portion are disposed along the length of the basebetween an adjacent pair of spikes; and wherein the deterrent device isnestable within a second elongated base of a second deterrent device,and wherein the second deterrent device has a second plurality of spikesoriented at least 5° with respect to a surface normal of the secondelongated base, and wherein the elongated base is less than 3 cm fromthe second elongated base when the deterrent device is nested within thesecond deterrent device.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein theelongated base and the plurality of spikes comprise a single injectionmolded piece of plastic.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein each of theupper and lower raised portions has a width that is less than a width ofthe elongated base.
 15. The device of claim 12, wherein the plurality ofspikes are disposed with respect to the elongated base such that thespikes alternate on each side of the elongated base between alower-angled spike and an upper-angled spike.
 16. The device of claim12, wherein each of the upper and lower raised portions comprises anaperture.
 17. The device of claim 12, wherein a collective surface areaof the upper and lower raised portions is greater than 50% of a totalsurface area of the elongated base.
 18. The device of claim 12, whereinthe elongated base has a width of no more than 10 mm.
 19. A deterrentdevice, comprising: an elongated base having upper and lower surfacesand comprising a plurality of upper and lower raised portions comprisinga first upper recessed area extending from the upper surface and a firstlower recessed area extending from the lower surface, wherein theplurality of upper and lower raised portions alternate sequentiallyalong a length of the base between an upper raised portion and a lowerraised portion; a plurality of spikes comprising first and second pairsof spikes disposed along a length of the base, the plurality of spikeseach coupled to, and extending outwardly from, the elongated base; andwherein the elongated base includes the first upper recessed area andthe first lower recessed area disposed along the length of the basebetween the first pair of spikes and the second pair of spikes.